Carol would like to ask Chip and Joann questions, but they never answer. But the whole genre has her fascinated: Fixer uppers, make overs, decor re-do's, and she's already figured out where her tiny house would be and why it's such a practical solution. But her husband guy has a better answer, just don't click to the end and spoil the fun of reading. - CMNext earlier Carol Perkins column, and absolute "CM Classic": Carol Perkins: It's only hair

By Carol Perkins

Adding finishing touches to a project can make or break it. Whether the project is a home upgrade or choosing a lamp for a table, those touches are important. I know what I like, but I can't seem to apply what I see on HGTV to my surroundings. I'm likely to ask TV fixer uppers like Chip and Joanna, "How did you do that?" They never answer.They can take a rundown house and make it picture perfect

They can take a rundown house and make it picture perfect. How are they able to visualize a new room? Talent. They are gifted. I want to be gifted, too. I near a nervous breakdown while binging on all those fixer upper shows. What they do looks so easy, but then when I try the same things, the results are far from simple or the process far from easy. I tried to crackle a china cabinet one time and never could get any crackle. "You can't paint over enamel, and it crackle," a professional told me after I layered on the coats of paint. I gave up and left it white.

Tiny houses are intriguing

Tiny houses intrigue me, and all of them are so pretty inside. I want a tiny house on our vacant lot. "Guy, you could build that." He agreed he could, but then asked, "Why would I want to? What would we do with a tiny house?" Good question. I could go there to write or read or the kids could stay there when they come to visit and the noise is elevated; we could go over there and let them have the house. I can see the benefit of a tiny house across the way from me, but it isn't going to happen.

Paint chips agitate me

Recently, I have been on the hunt for the "right" color to paint my bedroom and bath. Paint chips agitate me. Very seldom do I choose a color I can live with for years. This time I researched the HGTV sites such as Tarek and Christina (Flip or Flop) because they use many of the colors I like. I even took a picture of the TV as they showed their newly remodeled home. I haven't taken a picture of a TV screen since Elvis was on the Ed Sullivan Show. I uploaded a picture of my bedroom on a site and "painted" my room, but that didn't work, either.

Painting causes 'swimmy head'

"If you can't decide, just leave the walls alone," Guy suggested. He was afraid he was going to do the painting, which he has always done. Not that I didn't want him to paint, but his back hurt for a week after he painted both bathroom ceilings, plus he had the "swimmy head."

Pinterest seems to be a decorator's friend. However, there is too much information to wade through for ideas. I could surf through Pinterest boards and displays for days and print my finds and make a booklet, but all I want is paint.

The problem of neutral colors waiting for that pop of color

Finally, I concluded that if I keep the color of my bedroom and bath neutral, I could add pops of color in my finishing touches. There is my Achilles heel. Those touches don't seem to come to me the way they do to Joanna Gaines. In my defense, however, Joanna does have a stager. Christina also has a stager. Perhaps that is where I am missing the boat; I need a stager (and a comparable budget).

Guy would say, "You need to leave well enough alone. I like things the way they are." He has a point.
(Carol's new book, A Girl Named Connie, is available at Blossom's Florist and Boutique Unique in Glasgow on the Happy Valley Road, as well as on Amazon and Amazon Kindle.)

Carol Perkins is a regular weekly ColumbiaMagazine.com columnist and a co-host with Susan Chambers on the very popular The "Susan & Carol, Unscripted" show, live. FM 99.1 radio each Tuesday Morning at 10amCT.

This story was posted on 2016-07-14 04:22:26

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